What Is a Liberal Arts Degree?

A liberal arts degree is an undergraduate degree you can earn in certain liberal arts areas, such as the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and fine arts. You can earn this degree either by attending a specialised liberal arts college or by attending a university and choosing a specialisation or major in a liberal arts area.

A liberal arts degree doesn't always focus on the career-specific curriculum that degrees like computer science or marketing typically do. Instead, it emphasises valuable workplace skills, like critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving so that you can pursue a variety of roles after graduation. In other words, earning your degree in a liberal arts subject typically means your skills are not tied to a certain profession.

Explore what a liberal arts degree is, including the four main disciplines that comprise liberal arts majors and why you might choose to pursue this degree path.

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Liberal arts degrees: Majors and requirements

A liberal arts degree typically means earning your Bachelor of Arts (BA) Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA), or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). You can also specialise or major in four primary disciplines: the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, or fine arts. 

The type of degree you ultimately graduate with will depend on your specialisation or major. For instance, many humanities subjects (such as English) typically equate to a BA degree, whereas science subjects equate to a BSc degree. BFA and BVA degrees are specific to the arts, such as ceramics, metalwork, dance, or graphic design. You can also choose between a standard three-year undergraduate degree and a four-year honours degree. 

Some institutions offer a general BA in Liberal Arts degree, which allows you to study a broad range of topics. However, in most programmes, you will choose a major or specialisation, which will be your primary topic focus area. You can find different options at different universities, but the ones you might come across include the following.

Humanities

Majoring in humanities means studying ideas related to humans and humanity. Common subjects include: 

• Literature

• Linguistics

• Literary and cultural studies

• History

• Philosophy

• Religion

• Foreign language

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Natural sciences

Natural science majors study the world around them and how it functions. Common subjects include: 

• Astronomy

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Mathematics

• Geography 

• Environmental science

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Social sciences

Social science majors focus on subjects that investigate human behaviour, either on an individual or collective level. Common subjects include: 

• Psychology

• Sociology

• Geography 

• Anthropology

• Criminal justice

• Political science

• Economics

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Arts

Arts majors focus on the creative arts, either to pursue a career in that field or by applying what they’ve learned to a different industry. Common subjects you can expect include: 

• Fashion

• Fine arts

• Visual arts

• Performing arts

• Film

• Graphic design

• Textile design

• Metal work

• Theater

• Costume design

• Ceramics

• Dance

• Global art

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What does it take to earn a liberal arts degree?

A liberal arts degree is most commonly a bachelor’s degree and typically takes three to four years to earn. The duration of your degree will depend on whether you choose an honours degree and the specific requirements of your programme. 

Because liberal arts degrees often focus on positively impacting the community and promoting learners’ personal and professional growth, some programmes require internships, community outreach experiences, or research projects. You may also have student abroad or exchange programme options. 

What skills can you learn with a liberal arts degree?

Depending on what you study, you may gain helpful technical skills related to your subject matter. Most liberal arts majors also emphasise workplace skills (“soft skills”) to prepare you for various careers. 

Amongst the skills you’ll learn in a liberal arts programme are:

• Research

• Writing

• Communication

• Analysis

• Critical thinking

• Problem-solving

• Teamwork

The skills you can develop through your liberal arts degree programme are valuable. As artificial intelligence continues to expand in the modern workforce, more employers highly value workplace skills in their employees, according to a research survey of nearly 700 business practitioners [1].

As organisations continue to utilise new technologies and methodologies, having a collaborative, adaptable, and innovative workforce is necessary to take advantage of opportunities and find creative solutions as new challenges present themselves. Liberal arts degrees equip you to tackle challenges in new ways and be open to different perspectives, making them valuable tools when entering the workforce. 

What can you do with a liberal arts degree? 

A liberal arts education is designed to help you gain and strengthen skills you can apply to various careers. One of the degree’s greatest benefits is career flexibility. You can begin working in a related field or take what you’ve learned and explore careers that benefit from your unique skill set.

For example, a biology major might find an entry-level role in a research lab or become a health communications specialist, working with community members to develop health-related programming that benefits a local population. You might also use your skill set to enter a career that uses creativity and critical thinking, such as in the media or communications industries.

Beginning your career is only one option. You might also opt to continue your education.

Earn a postgraduate degree

A liberal arts degree can also prepare you to pursue a postgraduate degree, leading to advanced careers in numerous fields. An undergraduate liberal arts degree can lead to a master’s or doctoral degree in a similar or new subject. Postgraduate liberal arts degrees dive deeper into theoretical analysis and abstract thinking to help you approach complex topics in new ways. This type of degree can prepare you to continue research studies, enter a teaching profession, or enter a higher-level career in your study area. 

Continue exploring liberal arts degree options and alternatives

A liberal arts degree is an exciting opportunity to explore a topic in natural sciences, social sciences, the humanities, or fine arts. You can choose to major or specialise in an area of interest, and depending on your programme, you may have opportunities to partake in real-world experiences alongside your coursework. 

You can find many courses and Specialisations available in liberal arts subjects from leading universities on Coursera. Sign up for Wesleyan University’s Creative Writing Specialisation, Berklee College of Music’s Music Production Specialisation, Michigan State University's Photography Basics and Beyond, or Berklee’s The Business of Music Production Specialisation. Learning online comes with many benefits, including greater flexibility and self-paced courses.

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